Kasparov's Immortal
Garry Kasparov vs Veselin Topalov · Hoogovens, Wijk aan Zee, 1999 · 1–0
Start
Press → or tap the arrows to play through the game — the notes appear at the moments that decided it.
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Perhaps the greatest attacking game of the modern era. Kasparov sacrifices a rook to prise open Topalov's king, then chases it from a7 all the way to e1 — the length of the board — with a stream of checks that looks like chaos but was calculated to the end. A monument to deep calculation and the value of the initiative.
The takeaway
The initiative can be worth more than any material — but only if you can calculate it through. Kasparov gave up a rook because he had seen the king had no escape; attacking chess at the highest level is precise, not hopeful.
Now go make your own.
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